Key Issues

The Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGE) on Competition Law and Policy is a standing body established under the United Nations Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices (UN Set) to monitor the application and implementation of the Set.

The UN Set is a multilateral agreement on competition policy, which was negotiated and adopted by General Assembly resolution 35/63 on 5 December 1980.

The Set:

Provides a framework for international operation and exchange of best practices

Recognizes the development dimension of competition law and policy

Provides for equitable rules for the control of anti-competitive practices

The Intergovernmental Group of Experts will focus on the following topics:

Competition policy and public procurement

Knowledge and human resource management for effective competition law enforcement

Cross-border anti-competitive practices: The challenges for developing countries and economies in transition

Discussion of revised chapter III (Restrictive agreements and arrangements) and chapter VIII (Some possible aspects of consumer protection) of the UNCTAD Model Law on Competition Legislation

Tripartite peer review of competition law and policy in the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

In order to facilitate the deliberations and the informal exchange of experiences and best practices on the topics to be discussed, member States and observers are requested to submit written contributions to the UNCTAD secretariat by Friday, 29 June 2012, to allow participants to prepare themselves for the consultations.

Information for participants

Nominations and related communications concerning representation at the eleventh session of the IGE on Competition Law and Policy should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10 (fax: + 41 (0)22 917 0214; e-mail: correspondence@unctad.org).

Participants at the meeting need to collect their badge at the United Nations Security Service, Pregny Gate (opposite the Red Cross Building) before the meeting.

The Security Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants are strongly advised to arrive before 8.30 a.m. Participants are requested to carry a passport or a national identity card with them.

Substantive and other inquiries should be addressed to the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch (fax: + 41(0) 22 9170247; e-mail: competition@unctad.org).